Trinidad vessel to be used for ferry service with Guyana & Barbados

Guyana, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) agreed to a new ferry service among the three Caribbean states and the Galleons Passage, a vessel from the Twin Island Republic, will be used to ply the route, at least initially, according to Trinidadian Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley.

“(On Thursday), the Cabinet will sign off on this decision and only this morning, the Minister of Transportation was told to ready the Galleons Passage for the inaugural trip as soon as that documentation is ready and the vessel is ready,” Rowley said at the opening of the Phoenix Park Industrial Estate in Point Lisas on Wednesday.

Days before, Guyana’s President Dr. Irfaan Ali announced that Governments of Guyana, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) formed a new company that will introduce a passenger and cargo regional ferry system.

Solving intra-regional transportation woes has been a huge focus on the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) for years now. With the current revitalised focus on guaranteeing the region’s food security, solving this problem is also in focus.

Prime Minister Rowley said the decision to introduce the new ferry service was “driven by the need to move raw materials and fresh produce from the producing areas to the consumption and manufacturing areas” within the subzone of the Caribbean that includes these three countries.

He also noted that such a venture would help to boost regional food security efforts by stimulating food production and trade across the region. He also opined that the venture would support job creation and allow consumers to enjoy more affordable food prices.